{"id":13247,"date":"2026-02-25T21:35:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=13247"},"modified":"2026-02-25T21:35:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:35:49","slug":"urging-the-city-of-toledo-to-reinforce-its-commitment-to-a-safe-and-welcoming-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/urging-the-city-of-toledo-to-reinforce-its-commitment-to-a-safe-and-welcoming-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Urging the City of Toledo to Reinforce Its Commitment to a Safe and Welcoming Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Henry Garcia of Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones delivers his remarks at the press conference. Photo credit: Nick Komives<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Jessica Molina<\/em><\/p>\n

Feb 21 2026: Setting aside differences to work toward a common objective is not easy and is often one of the biggest barriers to collective action. However, this week, several organizations came together. While each has a distinct mission and purpose, they agreed to collaborate around one shared goal: advocating for the rights of immigrants and the safety of our broader community. The seven organizations that chose to do this work together were American Muslims for Palestine, Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones, Northwest Ohio Democratic Socialists of America, United Muslim Association of Toledo, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Toledo Persists, and Toledo Area Jobs with Justice.<\/p>\n

Advocates from these organizations have shared concerns that many individuals are currently living with fear due to a lack of due process, including reports of arrests following minor traffic violations or, in some cases, without any charges at all. As a result, people are pushed into hiding and avoid public spaces and contact with law enforcement altogether.<\/p>\n

The shared request from these organizations is for City Council to pass legislation that protects constitutional rights for everyone in the City of Toledo. During the press conference, speakers emphasized that community safety depends on trust between residents and local government.<\/p>\n

The speeches highlighted that public safety works best when people feel safe calling 911, reporting crimes, sending their children to school, and seeking medical care. Constitutional protections and due process must apply to everyone, without exception. Judicial warrants, clear identification, and use-of-force standards are not barriers to safety. They are the foundation of lawful enforcement. Unequal treatment under the law undermines trust and fairness. Minor offenses should not result in harsher consequences based on who someone is. As one speaker put it plainly, \u201cIf we\u2019re not placing Mary and Joseph in jail for a small misdemeanor, we shouldn\u2019t be placing Jose and Marie in jail either,\u201d shared by Henry Garcia, representing Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones.<\/p>\n

These requests build on work already done with the City. In 2017, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee worked with the City and later the County Sheriff\u2019s Office to implement a Code of Conduct. That Code of Conduct states that officers will accept community organization identification cards as identification, that Spanish-speaking individuals may request a Spanish-speaking officer, and that law enforcement prioritize de-escalation strategies in their use-of-force standards.<\/p>\n

Building on this work, last week, City Council passed a resolution reaffirming Toledo\u2019s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city. The resolution recognizes the vital role immigrants play in the community and expresses an intent to foster environments that welcome and value diverse populations.<\/p>\n

The organizations represented at the press conference are asking City Council to take the next step by passing legislation that reinforces those values. Unlike a resolution, legislation would create clear requirements and standards to be upheld across city departments and by the community as a whole.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pidiendo a la Ciudad de Toledo una comunidad segura donde todos son bienvenidos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Por Jessica Molina<\/em><\/p>\n

Dejar a un lado las diferencias para trabajar por una sola meta no es f\u00e1cil, y muchas veces es una de las mayores dificultades para trabajar en grupo. Pero, esta semana, varias organizaciones se unieron. Cada organizaci\u00f3n tiene una misi\u00f3n diferente, pero todas decidieron trabajar juntas con un mismo objetivo: defender los derechos de los inmigrantes y la seguridad de toda la comunidad.<\/p>\n

Las siete organizaciones que participaron fueron: American Muslims for Palestine, Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones, Northwest Ohio Democratic Socialists of America, United Muslim Association of Toledo, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Toledo Persists y Toledo Area Jobs with Justice.<\/p>\n

Representantes de estas organizaciones compartieron preocupaciones importantes. Hay reportes de personas arrestadas por violaciones menores de tr\u00e1fico o, en algunos casos, sin cargos claros. Por este miedo, muchas personas evitan lugares p\u00fablicos y el contacto con la polic\u00eda.<\/p>\n

La petici\u00f3n principal de estas organizaciones es que el Toledo City Council apruebe una ley que proteja los derechos constitucionales de todas las personas en la ciudad de Toledo. Durante la conferencia de prensa, se explic\u00f3 que la seguridad de la comunidad depende de la confianza entre las personas y el gobierno local.<\/p>\n

Los mensajes compartidos se\u00f1alaron que la seguridad p\u00fablica funciona mejor cuando las personas se sienten seguras de llamar al 911, reportar cr\u00edmenes, enviar a sus hijos a la escuela y buscar atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica. Los derechos constitucionales y el debido proceso deben aplicarse a todas las personas, sin excepci\u00f3n. Las \u00f3rdenes judiciales, la identificaci\u00f3n clara de los oficiales y reglas claras sobre el uso de la fuerza de la polic\u00eda no hacen a la ciudad menos segura. Al contrario, son la base de una aplicaci\u00f3n de la ley justa y legal.<\/p>\n

Cuando la ley no trata a todos por igual, no es justo. Las faltas peque\u00f1as no deber\u00edan tener castigos m\u00e1s fuertes para algunas personas. Como se dijo claramente en la conferencia, \u201cSi no ponemos a Mary y Joseph en la c\u00e1rcel por una falta menor, tampoco deber\u00edamos poner a Jos\u00e9 y Mar\u00eda en la c\u00e1rcel por lo mismo.\u201d comparti\u00f3 Henry Garcia de Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones.<\/p>\n

Estas peticiones se basan en trabajo previo ya hecho con la ciudad. En el a\u00f1o 2017, el Farm Labor Organizing Committee trabaj\u00f3 con la Ciudad de Toledo y despu\u00e9s con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado para crear un C\u00f3digo de Conducta. Un C\u00f3digo de Conducta es un conjunto de reglas que explican c\u00f3mo deben actuar los oficiales. Este c\u00f3digo establece que:<\/p>\n

Los oficiales aceptan identificaciones emitidas por organizaciones comunitarias<\/p>\n

Las personas que hablan espa\u00f1ol pueden pedir un oficial que hable espa\u00f1ol<\/p>\n

La polic\u00eda debe priorizar estrategias para calmar situaciones antes de usar la fuerza<\/p>\n

La semana pasada, el Concejo Municipal aprob\u00f3 una resoluci\u00f3n diciendo que Toledo es una ciudad donde todos son bienvenidos. Una resoluci\u00f3n es una declaraci\u00f3n de valores. Es una forma de decir: \u201cEsto es lo que creemos y apoyamos,\u201d pero no cambia las reglas ni las leyes.<\/p>\n

Las organizaciones que participaron en la conferencia de prensa ahora piden al Toledo City Council que d\u00e9 el siguiente paso y apruebe una legislaci\u00f3n. Una legislaci\u00f3n es una ley. A diferencia de una resoluci\u00f3n, una ley s\u00ed crea reglas claras y obligatorias que deben seguir las agencias de la ciudad y protege a la comunidad de manera m\u00e1s fuerte y duradera.<\/p>\n

Nota para el lector: Si usted conoce alguna situaci\u00f3n en la que la polic\u00eda o las autoridades no est\u00e9n siguiendo el debido proceso o este C\u00f3digo de Conducta, por favor comun\u00edquese con nosotros. Esta informaci\u00f3n ayuda a los defensores a proteger los derechos constitucionales de todas las personas en este pa\u00eds.<\/p>\n

Henry Garcia de Abriendo Puertas Para Soluciones ofrece sus palabras durante la conferencia de prensa. Cr\u00e9dito de la foto: Nick Komives<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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